RnB Singer-Songwriter Christina Sophia Releases Her New Album "Your Love"

Photo Credit: Christina Sophia

We are very excited to introduce you to Christina Sophia, a talented R&B singer-songwriter from Minneapolis, MN, who’s influenced by the R&B, soul, pop, and hip-hop genres. Christina has been recording and performing on the Twin Cities scene since her middle school years, and later had a stint with Megatropolis Records, as well as becoming a part of the Whyso hip-hop collective.

Christina broke out solo to release her “Self-Entitled” R&B EP in 2014, and her full length debut, “No Restrictions: The Mixtape”, hit the public in 2019. Now, she’s back with her brand new album entitled “Your Love”, which is comprised of 11 tracks, and features Jay Jeminii and Mike Dreams. Christina is represented by ILL COUNTY Management.

Trust us when we tell you that the “Your Love” album is fire. Listen to it for yourself right now, stream it on Audiomack and connect with Christina on social media. Also, be on the lookout for our exclusive interview with the songstress coming very soon!

Stream and Share “Your Love” on Audiomack

Connect with Christina Sophia: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Interview: Ryan O'Connell Talks About His New Comedy Single/Video "LMPIP"

“All I can do is make the best version of that exact “taste” and screw what other people may think about it. Comedy gets less potent the more you try to broaden the audience. ”

— Ryan O'Connell

Congratulations on the completion and release of your new single/video "LMPIP"; with four kids, we assume it is based on personal experience, but what inspired you to write, record and then direct a visual for it?

Thank you! As a songwriter, I'm coming up with ideas and hooks all the time. And as you can imagine, this one came to mind shortly after my kids wouldn't leave me alone in the bathroom. Though we have a similar sense of humor, my wife is a tougher critic and is usually a good test for whether my ideas have legs. So I played her a version of the first verse and chorus and she loved it.

As a filmmaker, I'm such a visual person that I immediately suggested it should be a video and she enthusiastically agreed. I felt it was one of those songs that's just begging to have a visual narrative; a comedy symbiosis if you will. Ultimately, it was my wife's idea to do a Kickstarter fundraiser for it and - to my surprise - enough people agreed that it just had to be a video too!

Knowing the world of comedy music is often marked by low production values and cheap gimmicks, I planned right away that a third of my Kickstarter budget would go toward producing the track with other professionals to make it something worthy of a video. Even the most impressive video can't draw attention away from a terrible song, so getting the song up to par was the most vital part of the whole process.

"LMPIP" follows your earlier single/video, "Mass Fitness"; can we expect these two songs on an upcoming EP or album? If so, what can you tell us about it?

"Mass Fitness" was an absolute blast to produce but was definitely a stand alone project designed for a specific audience. "LMPIP" is designed to fit into the realm of "dad comedy" and will be just one track on a full comedy album that would be accompanied by a couple other music videos.

I'm planning and fundraising for it and - based on the response I've gotten from "LMPIP" - there's absolutely an audience that would relate to the material and love to share it.

Tell us about some things/people/places that influence your creativity when developing new music?

Musically my style is heavily influenced by singer/songwriter types like John Mayer, Marc Broussard, and Bob Dylan. Like these guys, my guitar is my writing partner. I love to play and while experimenting with chord progressions and arrangements, I usually stumble upon something that jumps out as a hook and go from there.

Sometimes I have a topic or theme in mind that I want to write about, and sometimes words just pop out from a more subconscious emotional place and I let them lead me. But that's just my typical writing process. There have been times when I act as a producer first and want to experiment with hip-hop and pop and I just have to lay down some bass that slaps. It's almost like I need to vomit up a musical mood first and then figure out if I can make a song out of it.

I get super excited when discovering an incredible new artist way out of my comfortable genre - all I can think about is whether I'm capable of producing a track that sounds like it's from their world. Then I experiment.

During your creative process for writing new songs, do you ever worry that the listener or viewer just won't get it, in terms of your sense of humor?

When I was younger I used to get hung up on "is this funny" as some kind of objective question and let other people decide for me. I think I let too many good ideas go because of insecurities there. But one of the most important lessons I've learned as a comedy writer (both for music and for the screen) is that comedy is extremely subjective, and I'm not that special. Specifically that means that if I'm really laughing at an idea then it's safe to assume that there are enough people out there with a similar taste in humor to make the project worthwhile. All I can do is make the best version of that exact "taste" and screw what other people may think about it. Comedy gets less potent the more you try to broaden the audience.

Usually it's a choice between making something that's a little bit funny to a lot of people, or really damn funny for a particular kind of person. I'd rather err on the side of the latter - that small but devoted fan base.

With "LMPIP" now released, what are some of your goals musically for the remainder of 2021?

I plan to create three demo tracks as a proof of concept for the “dad comedy” album so that I can successfully fund-raise for the complete project by the year’s end.

Stream and Share “LMPIP” on: Spotify | Amazon

Connect with Ryan O’Connell: Facebook | Soundcloud

Review: "Mediator" EP by Mediator

Mediator presents a pristine piece of dance pop perfection on his joyful self-titled debut. A wide slew of influences come into the mix, from elements of folktronica to video game soundtracks to dirty electro grooves. With this eclectic approach, Mediator incorporates so much color into the atmosphere in a way that becomes so beautiful to behold. The narrative that begins to come into focus over the course of the journey has a magnificence to it as there is a heft to the way they balance the many layers of sound onto each other, resulting in an almost psychedelic quality at times.

Nods to groups like the indie pop darlings the Postal Service appear throughout the whole of the EP’s duration. Mediator’s thoughtfulness regarding arrangements further has an inspired clarity to it. Elements of Four Tet’s unique soundscapes and designs further add to the allure of the approach for it has a sun-drenched optimism about it. Beyond this, the low-slung grooves that adorn many of the pieces draw from Brainfeeder Records’ unique hybrid style, for pieces of jazz and hip-hop are cleverly referenced within the entirety of the collection.

The opener “Penumbra”, featuring Moon Mouse, has a mysterious aura to it, right from the glow of the organ setting the tone. Upon that open, the glitched-up effects and toy box melody add to the lovely, tender spirit. Vocals further infuse life into the space. Peppy beats underpin the whole of the bouncing scope of “Loki” complete with some rather delicate string sweeps that further flesh the sound out.

With the deliberate pacing of “Galileo”, featuring Tribbs, there is a kindness to her lullaby-like cadence, as the piece floats on by in a lush yearning hue. Going for a playful disposition is the sprawling rhythms of “Something for the Journey” which features a nice driving tempo behind it. Pure ambient bliss reign supreme on the delicate “Digital Parasites”.

A disorienting experience defines the poetry of “Cyma” featuring Tribbs, as a certain trance pop effect is explored in full. By far the highlight of the album comes with the colossal finale of “Umbra” featuring Moon Mouse. Everything here works from the acid-tinge of the synthesizer to the dub-inflections of the bass.

On his self-titled effort, Mediator delivers a sound that feels absolutely timeless and touching.

Stream and Share “Mediator” on Spotify

Indie-Folk Singer-Songwriter Cujo Moon Releases His New EP "Bridges II"

Rising alternative folk singer Cujo Moon has released his indie-folk EP, Bridges II via Cujo Moon and Tone Tree Music. Bridges I and Bridges II mark the musician embarking on his own solo adventure. On the EP, listeners will find the sterling single, ‘Sing Your Song’. While working in his earlier bands, the singer was featured on Coldplay’s website for the song ‘To The Moon’ and shared a stage with the Mild High Club.

Currently operating under the alias of Cujo Moon, Trevor Willmott, is originally from Lexington, Kentucky (USA) and settled down in Nashville, Tennessee. The musician has found himself working in several bands over the years including The Wild Jays, Dream the Electric Sleep and one half of the duo Neon Rain. His lyrics are self-healing as they are created from Willmott’s personal experiences with depression and anxiety. However, the singer-songwriter aims to provide a sense of hope during times of loss and sorrow. With soft, intimate moments, his own sound calls to mind the likes of Bon Iver, Ben Howard, and Jeff Buckley.

Cujo Moon’s Bridges II EP is the audio embodiment of a slow, Sunday morning with your lover. The smell of homemade pancakes and coffee drift through the air, mingling with the gentle indie strains and enhancing the forgiving ambience that permeates throughout the day. The EP features the talented vocals of Trevor’s partner, Rae Mercedes in the memorable single ‘Goodnight Black Sky’. Filled with hope, and tenderly unhurried tones, Bridges II takes a look at the intimate side of life and all of the complexities found within it.

The musician shares his thoughts on the EP: “Most of the writing and production process was done completely alone. The songs are a mixture of new and old but the production style was a new venture entirely. The strings, percussive elements, and epic layering of sounds were entirely new for me in this genre. Maybe it was the residue leftover from having been in a psych-rock band for 4 years; I just couldn't completely revert to acoustic guitar and vocals by themselves. One highlight from the recording process was tracking vocals for Goodnight Black Sky with my partner Rae Mercedes - I'm so happy we did the duet. Her voice took the song to another level and really brought the narrative to life. I'd like to venture into new territories with each new collection of songs that will follow these EPs - I'm not a fan of repeating the same sound over and over."

Listen to “Bridges II” below, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with Cujo Moon on his social media.

Stream and Share “Bridges II”

Connect with Cujo Moon: Instagram | Twitter

Interview: Canadian Electronic Producer Mediator Discusses His Debut EP "Mediator"

“...ultimately this EP became something akin to a final school project, where you took all the things you had learned during the year and applied it. ”

— Mediator

Congratulations on the completion and release of your debut EP "Mediator"; as its producer, how would you describe the development of the EP's 7 songs?

I would describe it as a funnel of trial and error. At its earliest period, back in 2017-2018, I was just testing the waters as a producer. I had no direction, no concrete goal, and barely any experience in writing electronic music.

As the years went on, and I continued to experiment, that experience and knowledge became greater and it started to aim towards the goal of releasing an EP. My plan was to produce a tune I really liked, post it casually on Soundcloud, and then when I had enough songs I would take them all down, re-mix them, and compile them into a cohesive album, which is--for the most part--what I ended up doing.

Were there songs that you recorded for the EP that did not make the final tracklist? If so, why did you decide not to include them?

For the most part, the songs that landed a spot on the EP were songs that were destined to stay. Three or four tracks were long-standing songs from months, even years before, and I was really attached to them.

The only song I pulled was the original opening track, called Nebula, which was the very first electronic song I was proud of. When it came down to the re-mixing process, it was giving me many, many issues, and I couldn't figure out how to fix them at the time, so I set it aside.

That led to the writing of “Penumbra”, which took elements of the final track, “Umbra”, and tied the opening and closing of the EP together.

Do you have any music videos in the pipeline for the EP's songs? If so, which one(s)?

I have a music video in the works for the song “Galileo”, which is going to dig hard into the Lo-Fi vibe of the song while also hitting the whole 'home made' theme that this EP is really a result of. Damesy, who features on the track, is helping me produce it all, too.

Would you say that there's an overall theme or concept that you had in mind while creating the "Mediator" EP?

Initially, there wasn't any theme other than "What can I achieve with what I know and how can I improve on it?" So, ultimately this EP became something akin to a final school project, where you took all the things you had learned during the year and applied it.

I had much experience in composition, but none in producing, engineering, and working with other artists. There isn't really any underlying theme, but sonically, I think the atmospheric and rhythmic veins in each song tie it all together in a sound I think suits me as a producer, which is why the EP is self-titled. So the theme is Mediator.

With the EP now released, what are some of your goals musically for the remainder of 2021?

I have some ambitious projects on the drawing board, but those are still very early in development. I plan on releasing another 2021 EP with more of a cohesive theme and structure, so I'm currently working with some artists to achieve a fresh sound while also still being very much a Mediator production.

Stream and Share “Mediator” on Spotify

Connect with Mediator: Instagram | Facebook

BandLab’s 30 Million-Strong User Base Unlocks New Waves of Musical Creativity

BandLab, the mobile-first recording, editing, and sharing platform, has quietly but surely built a passionate, active user base. It now boasts more than 30 million users, a 150% jump since 2019. Today, these users create more than 10 million new tracks per month.

This proliferation of song making activity on a mobile app points to a larger shift worldwide: the line between music maker and music listener is fading, and a greater number of “upstream” creators are diving into production. Since the launch of major streaming services, music industry eyes have been focused on engaging a wider global music audience by optimizing a commercial model for digital music listening. The industry has paid little notice to how accessible music making has become, especially with the maturation of mobile composition and production. Music makers worldwide, however, have already embraced the innovation and started creating. Many had been shut out from existing music recording and production paradigms--until now.

“We’ve seen activity grow naturally,” says BandLab CEO Meng Ru Kuok. “Last year, it exploded and it hasn’t slowed down. Even as circumstances changed in places around the world, creativity has remained a part of people’s lives.”

BandLab lets music makers record, edit, and post tracks. Users can grab some of many free custom sound and sample sets to add or play with as they go, and they can apply any number of effects to their creations. Unique to BandLab is the ability for users to work seamlessly on any device, all synched via the cloud, and to invite others to collaborate in real time with them. They can then choose to make the results public and get feedback and support from fans and fellow creators.

“Big numbers on BandLab are great, but what’s really exciting is the active usage of the product. Music making means you need to be active, not just passively scrolling a feed,” Kuok explains. “The scale of the usage around the world shows the democratization of music creation. We sit so far upstream, as close as you can get to intent to action. That’s why our users trend young and relatively more gender balanced than audio sharing platforms and studio tech traditionally have been. It’s extremely inspiring.”

The new shift and interest in audio makes this wave of creativity all the more intriguing. “YouTube made everyone understand they needed to be a video creator,” muses Kuok. “As audio continues to evolve and grow in importance, everyone needs to become a music creator.”

About BandLab

Founded in 2016, BandLab is part of music technology group BandLab Technologies, and is the flagship digital product in the organisation’s portfolio of music experience brands. BandLab’s best-in-class mobile music creation tools empower aspiring and professional creators everywhere to make music and share their creative process at an unprecedented level. Free to join, BandLab’s approachable software is based in the cloud and universally available on all platforms, making it the most accessible, collaboration-friendly music production platform anywhere. Users can self-release tracks and retain complete control of their music rights, giving artists full autonomy and allowing them to keep 100% of their earnings from monetizing their music. It reported its first million users in April 2017 and now has over 30 million registered users world wide.

The BandLab product family also includes BandLab for Education, an award-winning music creation platform with classroom management tools used by schools in over 40 countries worldwide, and Cakewalk by BandLab, a professional-level digital recording studio for career musicians and producers. Millions of musicians worldwide—including GRAMMY® and Emmy®-winning producers, composers, sound designers, and engineers—use Cakewalk products daily to produce audio for the professional music, film, broadcast, and video game industries.

Connect with BandLab: Website | Twitter | Instagram

Canadian Electronic Producer Mediator Drops His First EP, the Self Titled "Mediator"

Canadian electronic producer Mediator explores a familiar yet ethereal realm in his first official EP, the self-tiled “Mediator”, which consists of seven electronic tracks that span multiple subgenres from lo-fi to alternative EDM and synth wave.

Inspired by Puscifer, synth wave, and science fiction, Mediator creates an ethereal world with atmospheric soundscapes and groovy, complex rhythms that he hopes will transport listeners to their own sci-fi fantasies.

The electronic producer goes by the name Mediator, inspired by the producer’s personality type (INFP). Those with the Mediator personality type tend to be ‘open-minded, and imaginative, and they apply a caring and creative approach to everything they do’.

This couldn’t be more apt for the artist, who not only wrote and produced the album, but also engineered it – releasing a project that he has carefully and personally crafted from concept to release.

With a musical career that began as a five-year-old with a pair of drumsticks and led to the recent six-album acoustic release as Cooper Chasse, it seemed a natural progression for the artist to delve deeper into the source, creation and engineering of music.

‘The album Mediator has been arguably a couple of years in the making,’ Mediator says.

‘A couple of the songs were written a few years ago while in my process of learning electronic music, a genre that I barely listened to growing up.

"After a few years, and a lot of trial and error, the seven songs on this EP are a selection that I’m really proud of.

‘This album is particularly a test of my ability to engineer as well, and with every song that I’ve completed, I’ve learned something new about the whole process. I am still learning, and I hope I never stop learning.

‘There is something really special about creating something completely and entirely.’ Raised on rock and roll music and science fiction films, Mediator combines his two loves to create an atmospheric, groovy vibe.

‘The kind of music I really like to listen to is music that takes me out of this world, makes me feel like I’m in space and sort of just floating on a cloud,’ he says.

‘Or kind of like I’m in a 1980s science fiction film like Blade Runner. It takes me out of mundane reality and puts me into a sci-fi world and my aim is to make music that is listenable, not too experimental, while keeping elements of that type of stuff that I love doing.

‘That’s how I begin the writing process – ‘how can I make people feel like they’re floating around in space?

‘I involve a lot of rock elements to my music. I grew up on rock and roll, I grew up on metal. And I like to include a lot of rhythmic components – drumming is my native instrument, where I feel most comfortable, so I like to put a lot of percussive elements.

‘I feel like this peaks in the final track, Umbra, because Moon Mouse is a percussionist by nature as well, so the whole song is just a jam.’

As well as Moon Mouse, the EP also features collaborations with up-and-coming Canadian jazz and R&B artist, Tribbs (now known as Damesy).

A highlight of Mediator's debut release is his take on lo-fi, featuring Damesy, Galileo. ‘Galileo was the second track I asked Damesy to do. After Cyma, I felt like she needed a track that was more up her alley in terms of style. Something more R&B and chill, while still hitting the usual mark of atmosphere,’ Mediator says.

‘The whole process is sort of a surprise. I never know what I'll get when she sends me her vocal tracks and she never disappoints. I always feel like I'm laying under the stars and having an out of body experience, and Galileo is no exception. I know it has a tonne of potential when I can't get it out of my head.’

Keep an eye out for this up-and-coming producer, with more releases planned for 2021. In the meantime, enjoy “Mediator” below and connect with him on social media.

Connect with Mediator: Instagram | Facebook

Interview: London Pop Singer-Songwriter Abi Mia Talks About Her Latest Single "Make Myself Tall"

“...I realised that I had had enough of feeling belittled and disrespected so I decided to stand up for myself, ‘Make Myself Tall’ and refuse to be put down any more. ”

— Abi Mia

If you had to describe your music to a stranger in three words, which ones would you select?

Empowering, uplifting and authentic

Tell us about how you initially got started as a singer-songwriter and who were some artists that influenced you musically. Also, which instruments do you play?

I first started writing when I was about 16, inspired by my music teacher sharing some of his original songs with me. I was so in awe of the fact that he had created these songs and I wanted to learn how to do that as well!

I have been influenced and inspired by many artists including Demi Lovato, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, BTS, Sara Barelilles and Amy Lee just to name a few! I do appreciate strong vocals and songs with great messages and emotions that can really connect to the listener.

I play piano well enough to accompany myself in performances or to record a simple piano part on my tracks but I am very much working on improving those skills!

Congratulations on the release of your new song "Make Myself Tall"; tell us who produced it and what inspired you to write it?

Thank you! I have been very excited to share this track! 'Make Myself Tall' was produced by Noah Lloyd at The Online Record Studio, he is fantastic to work with and he has also produced more of my previous tracks!

It was inspired by an experience I had of being put down constantly by someone who was supposed to be my 'friend' because I wasn't doing things their way, so they assumed I was wrong. I realised that I had had enough of feeling belittled and disrespected so I decided to stand up for myself, 'Make Myself Tall' and refuse to be put down any more.

I stood up for my choices and made it known that there is more than one way to succeed, different things work for different people! It was a very freeing and empowering experience and I wanted to inspire others to do the same, to have the courage to walk away from someone who is putting them down, they are not people one should be around.

"Make Myself Tall" follows your prior releases "Here to Stay", "Enough is Enough", "This Life" and "Fly Your Way"; can we expect to hear these songs on an upcoming EP or album?

I am aiming to work toward an EP or album toward the end of this year yes! I love releasing singles but it is definitely a goal to at least start working on one near the end of this year once I have built up more momentum and it is likely some of my previous singles will feature in it!

In the meantime I have my next few singles lined up and I can't wait to share those as well!

With "Make Myself Tall" now released, what are some of your goals musically for the remainder of 2021?

I have many music goals for 2021 and I am so excited to make them happen! In terms of releasing music I plan to keep releasing singles until I get the chance to work toward an EP or album.

Once lockdown restrictions are lifted I would love to perform in as many live shows as possible with the aim of starting to plan a UK tour toward the end of the year as the feeling of performing live is just fantastic!

I also would love to get my music placed on films, TV, adverts and bigger radio stations and will continue to work on improving my songwriting and vocal skills whilst learning more about how the music industry works!

I will work hard to become a better artist and performer and I am excited to see how far I can go in 2021!

Connect with Abi Mia: Instagram | Twitter

VICTIME Guitarist Simon Provencher Drops His Debut EP "Mesures"

Mastering the art of frantic guitar playing, noise-making, and post-punk vibing as part of the Montreal band VICTIME, Simon Provencher has kept exploring the limits of his instrument on his own, discreetly delivering instrumental experimentations along the way. Bits and pieces slowly started to form a somewhat free jazz collage, flirting with electro-acoustic, and dominated by the reverberations and loops of the fleeting guitar. Simon has just released his debut EP “Mesures”, via Montreal’s independent label Michel Records.

Mesures is an EP that tells a chiasmatic tale, and the listening experience draws two very distinct sides that become part of a whole. What has started like a lonesome project, quickly became a territory for a creative conversation punctuated by the syncopated rhythms and percussions from Olivier Fairfield (Fet.Nat, Last Ex) and woodwind improviser Elyze Venne-Deshaies’ clarinets; A free canvas entrusted by Simon to both musicians letting the musical encounters shine by the unpredictability it would add to his music.

The three tracks opening the EP ( “Choix multiples”, “Mesures”, “Pesée”) find their roots in the very crude guitar played by Provencher, without any electronic pedals or external effects. He tied twine to the strings, wedged metal objects between the strings and the guitar’s body, and plucked mainly with his fingers, but also with a drumstick and drill. All elements that contribute to the electro-acoustic dimension of his sound. Fairfield’s percussion parts are perfectly bold, soft, yet present, just random and noisy enough to give a very welcome edge to the compositions. The clarinet parts complete the ethereal electro-acoustic jazz ensemble with the warm embrace of harmony.

“I like to say that some music is discovered more than it is written, and it especially rings true with this release.”

The three following tracks (“Toutes ces réponses”, “Et quart”, “Repus”) mute all the instruments, keeping only the clarinets clear and adding a line of feedback meticulously manipulated by Provencher. This second part of the EP wasn’t planned and came to the musician’s attention while he listened simultaneously by mistake to the 4 takes of clarinet at once. He was fascinated by the off-kilter harmonies and intertwined polyphony of the recordings. The whole thing seems to breathe and move slowly, created by the addition of seemingly unrelated, random musical moments. The record ends up sounding somewhat inspired by 70s psychedelic and spiritual jazz, an accidental precept, but still a welcoming comparison. In the end, Mesures is a collection of collaborations, happy accidents, and chance encounters combining themselves in a way that is greater than the sum of its parts.

“Mesures” is an EP in two halves with each side being a distorted mirror of the other. Listen to it now and connect with Simon on his Bandcamp.

Connect with Simon Provencher: Bandcamp

Evolfo Announce Their Album "Site Out Of Mind", Out June 18th, and Share Fuzz-Drenched Single “Strange Lights”

Brooklyn, NY garage/psych seven-piece Evolfo have announced their sophomore full-length, “Site Out Of Mind”, releasing June 18th on Royal Potato Family and shared lead single “Strange Lights”.

Recorded in a single take in the tiny, sweltering attic-turned-recording studio of band leader Matt Gibbs' Brooklyn apartment, the driving rhythm and fuzz drenched guitar of “Strange Lights'' converge in hypnotic chaos to tell a non-linear story of frustration, helplessness, and multiphrenia in the face of rabid authoritarianism. “This song was never meant to be specifically about me and the time I was wrongfully arrested, we are loath to define the subject matter in such literal terms,” says member Gibbs. “However, it would be fair to say that this experience influenced my view of police and the judicial system, and that this particular set of lyrics would not have come to be without it.”

If the Brooklyn-based psych rockers felt pressured to repeat the successes of their 2017 album Last of the Acid Cowboys they certainly didn’t show it. One might think a band that racked up 6 million plus streams on their debut record would try to recreate this by doing more of the same. But Evolfo step confidently forward into fresh sounds and more vivid conceptual subject matter. They have flipped the world of their 2017 debut Last of the Acid Cowboys on its head, departing the earth bound adventures in melting landscapes, rat cities, and desert sojourns for metaphysical territory and the mountains of the mind. “We’re always going to be in a state of flux,” says Gibbs, who formed the group a decade ago, “I consider this to be an exciting, positive thing. We have to embrace our own change.” On their brand new album Site Out of Mind, Evolfo reaches far beyond the confines of genre to create a colorful echo drenched psych rock dream all their own. Adorned with a mind bending cover by visual artist Robert Beatty, the result is a collection of songs that are unexpected, absorbing, and blissfully tripped out.

Partially inspired by concepts pulled from sci-fiction and one group psychedelic drug trip, Site Out of Mind is a thrilling spiral into the depths of the spiritual mind and the afterlife. Lyrically, Gibbs says, it could be interpreted as a continuation of the loose concept that Evolfo’s previous album hinted at. “If the protagonist of that album died at the end of Last of the Acid Cowboys,” says Gibbs, “then this was the protagonist’s internal journey, flipping the landscape, and going through the mountain of their mind in that moment of mortality; perhaps a blurring of brain activity between dying and death, between life and the afterlife.”

Listen to “Strange Lights” now, connect with Evolfo on their social media and be ready to stream/purchase “Site Out of Mind” on June 18th.

Stream and Share “Strange Lights”

Connect with Evolfo: Twitter | Instagram

Interview: Plainwell, MI Singer-Songwriter SPOOKY GLOOM Talks About His New Track "BORNDEADANTHEM"

“SPOOKY GLOOM is the definition of devil on the left shoulder and angel on the right shoulder. Confusion in your own decision making...”

— SPOOKY GLOOM

Congratulations on the release of your new single "BORNDEADANTHEM"; tell us about what inspired you to write the track and how you connected with its producer CO$TLY.

Super stoked for people to keep hearing this track. The inspiration for this track was definitely keeping the properties of cloud hip-hop but also digging deep let the listener know, just because the world is going to crap doesn’t mean you don’t have to keep trying to move forward.

All the people that wake up everyday that feel like they have a hole in their chest of depression, anxiety, etc. “all the dead they rise” People who feel they r born dead can rise above the label they’re given to find their way out.

As far as CO$TLY producing it, I am CO$TLY as well. I also make dubstep and edm under CO$TLY so all production I do is under that name and my vocal music is as SPOOKY GLOOM.

Can we expect a music video for "BORNDEADANTHEM” and will it be appearing on an upcoming EP or album this year?

Yes a video is going to be made for “BORNDEADANTHEM”. Me and my 2 brothers, Nate Scott and Brandon Scott started a production company called “FBN” (fuckbein’normal) that does music videos, events, lifestyle, podcasts, and such.

After my “xBLINDx” EP the first weekend of April is when we plan to drop the “BORNDEADANTHEM” video.

Tell us about your creative process when it comes to the development of new songs and what you look for in the beats that you select to write to.

When I make the beats I look for something that’s infectious. Something that will either make you move, think, or feel. Then when it comes to the writing process it’s always what’s on my mind at that moment. It’s all in the message you want to perceive so the listener feels your energy through your message. Like my unreleased song “Holes In My Shoes” feat Jaydn Violet is about how my ex turned into a pornstar and we had a rough upbringing and all my friends sending me messages that they saw her on Pornhub and all that jazz. Therefore my emotions were mad, sad, smug, and regret all boiled into this melting pot to make that song, but to always have a darker twist to it. No sugar coating. So then the listener could apply my hurts to better themselves.

What does your moniker, "SPOOKY GLOOM" represent, and what are some things that inspire you as a songwriter?

SPOOKY GLOOM is the definition of devil on the left shoulder and angel on the right shoulder. Confusion in your own decision making. So many demons grabbing you but another voice tempting you to make a better decision but it’s all a fight over the human mind to see if they fly or fall. You can’t see through the mist since the world is so cloudy and foggy. To lend a hand from the darker depths through my experiences in life. Confusion and all emotions are beyond real and I have them everyday. A spookier twist to the world that’s in gloom.

With "BORNDEADANTHEM" now released, what are some of your goals musically for the remainder of 2021?

I’m keeping my goals simple this year. Just achieve at least up to 2k followers on Soundcloud and a comfortable growth. I submitted to perform at L.O.U.D. Fest in Texas as far as shows go. But this year I’m shooting for upping my insights on all platforms and reaching as many souls as I can.

Stream and Share “BORNDEADANTHEM” on Soundcloud

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Ben Maxwell Releases His New Album Exclusively on Music Licensing Platform Bopper

Music licensing platform Bopper is announcing its first exclusive release by one of the numerous independent artists it champions. Artist, DJ, and producer Ben Maxwell will offer a new 10-track album 'Broken Love' exclusively on Bopper before its official release in April 2021.

“Artists are increasingly looking to partners who will promote and value their work appropriately,” explains Bopper CEO Gabriel Bouchard. “And we are always striving to help socially responsible brands and their agencies find high-quality independent music that fits their creatives’ briefs while helping independent artists increase their revenues especially now that live performances, their main source of earnings, are not possible. The partnership with Ben came together very organically.”

Though making and producing music may be more accessible in our high tech world, making a living off of them can still be quite difficult. Talented producers like Ben Maxwell are looking for ways to make more than fractions of pennies per stream off their songs, and Bopper is looking for trendy new music to license to advertisers.

Maxwell has made a name for himself as an electronic music producer, boasting nearly 25 million streams of his songs and remixes across SoundCloud, YouTube, and Spotify. From February to April 2021, his newest original music will only be heard on Bopper’s pre-cleared music platform, a catalogue designed for advertising and marketing agencies to quickly and easily license music for digital and TV ads.

Sync has become an important source of both inspiration and income for Maxwell, and Bopper was an ideal platform to try out a new release strategy. “I don't think anyone else is doing this,” said Maxwell about placing his music exclusively with Bopper. “You won't find my new album on any of these other sync databases. The reason for that is, other databases are just not as artist friendly. Most of the others are huge databases with subscription programs leaving very little money for the artists, but it’s a much more fair process at Bopper, and I want to be part of this family.”

A truly independent artist, Maxwell taught himself the music production ropes. Maxwell has been producing and DJ-ing since his early teen days, honing his talent with multiple instruments. He boasts a notable following of EDM and House music fans, remixing artists like Brittney Spears, Chainsmokers, RYDER, and Diplo, as well as a host of original tracks. Over the last 2 years, he has been working on producing the new album, and it has become, according to Maxwell, “the best representation of my work I have ever done, and really tells the story of who I am as an artist.”

Bopper’s head of music Greg Lozoff has kept tabs on Maxwell since 2018 when he first heard his single, “Right Now.” Lozoff recognized Maxwell’s talent right away and reached out to offer guidance and later friendship as well.

“We’re always on the hunt for new, exciting artists to work with. As the Head of Music, I make sure to set aside a good chunk of time every week to just listen to new music from a variety of different sources. I happened to stumble on one of Ben’s first singles on Soundcloud and I reached out right away to start the conversation about working together. When COVID hit, Ben let me know that he had been working on a new album, and that’s when the idea hit me to offer it as an exclusive to our clients, before it officially drops. Ben loved the idea and the rest is history.”

Listen to Ben’s brand new album, “Broken Love”, HERE

Connect with Bopper: Twitter | Instagram

G4Jag and Mephux Release Their Brand New Collaborative Album "Regressions"

Returning with their second collaborative project within the past six months Harlem, NY heavyweight G4Jag has cooked up again with Mephux on the beats. The resulting full-length entitled “Regressions”, boasts contributions from their fellow Lord Mobb brethren Flee Lord, Eto, BVNG’s, Aaqil Ali, Mercy Da Harlem Kid and Trillmatic (from Trillmatic Premium Goods).

Combining G4’s highly introspective and relatable to the have-not’s lyrical narratives over dusted jazz, soul and even samples from Russian sound-sources, it’s that head-nod music for the spirit. Another guest on the album is Mephux’s mother, Olga, who spits some flavor in Russian on the aforementioned joint built with Soviet samples.

Speaking on the album title, the emcee relayed “our last EP was Progression, which was dropped on 9-11 (I always drop a project on that date, I was two blocks away from the Towers when the planes hit, so it’s a form of reverence on my part). This release, Regressions addresses the steps we need for balance, including me as a man, a black-man, a father and as a human.”

Recently G4 has been on a tear dropping quality project after quality project in a quick succession. This includes for his own Fly Family imprint as well as for the newly formed super-collective Lord Mobb (under Flee Lord’s banner), Dough Networkz Presents and the Trust Comes First Music Group (38 Spesh’s label). He is also hard-at-work promoting his Fly Family artist Aaqil Ali including his role of executive producer for Ali’s recently released Dirty Spirits album.

Listen to the very DOPE “Regressions” album right now and connect with G4Jag on IG.

Connect with G4Jag: Instagram

Brisbane Based Rapper Blaq Carrie Comes Into Her Own With Debut Album "RUWA"

Brisbane-based Zimbabwe rapper Blaq Carrie falls into her own with the release of her highly anticipated debut album ‘RUWA’.

The 9-track album showcases BC’s versatility and highlights the ever changing journey of her artistry. BC unfolds beautifully within ‘RUWA,’ leaving no facet of her life untethered, stripped bare for the world to hear and see.

BC’s raps with conviction, whether she’s emancipating herself on ‘2010,’ tracing back her roots on ‘Africa On My Mind’ to the smooth and vibrant track ‘Catch Me If I Fall,’ a song that screams vulnerability and strength, the album sees BC move mountains of emotions through her music.

On how she feels about finally releasing the album, BC says, “I feel I have definitely punched through the ceilings with ‘RUWA.’ Being a rapper in Brisbane has it’s pros and cons. I feel its great when you create but without a good booking agent you will unfortunately be stamped as the local supporting act whose’s always opening for others from interstate, this is just one of the issues I rap about in the album,”

“What I want is for everyone to see my versatility and how much I’ve grown. I’ve created 9 solid tracks for every type of ear,”

With talent oozing from her pores, BC is an independent artist who also created her own label. Having maintained a strong presence in the scene, BC was born and raised in Zimbabwe and is now based in Brisbane, Australia.

After releasing her debut single ‘Let There Be Hope’ in 2013 she experienced a break-out year, winning the Triple J Unearthed Spring Hip Hop Festival competition and winning the Queensland Music Award ‘Best Urban Song’ and the Australian Independent Award and Music Video Award as well. BC is ready to make 2021 her year.

Listen to ‘RUWA’ right now, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with Blaq Carrie on her social media.

Stream and Share ‘RUWA’

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Nashville Neo-Soul, RnB Artist TONYB. Releases the Deluxe Version of His Album "Flashing Lights"

TONYB. is a singer-songwriter from Nashville, TN. Heavily influenced by 90’s and early 2000’s R&B, he credits his range of musical and vocal dynamics to the likes of Aaliyah, D’Angelo and Usher.

His latest endeavor is his new 18-track deluxe version of his acclaimed album Flashing Lights. Created between Nashville and Los Angeles over the last few years TONYB. has amalgamated a collection of sonic stories of coming into adulthood. TONYB. explains the overarching themes of Flashing Lights sharing, “It’s a symbol of how life is ever changing and not everything will always be clear. Even in some of the challenging moments, even when everything is dark, you can still find the light.”

Covering an incredibly in depth tunnel of experiences and emotions, we get an insight into the vulnerability and raw, honest truths of TONYB.. The album ranges from more dance-worthy tunes such as “Take a Loss” to more emotional, delicate songs such as “Angels.” Overall the aura of Flashing Lights is a rich soulful, alt R&B delivery, composed of stunning vocal runs and an emporium of synths, drums and bass.

Leading single “Worst Way” is a collaboration with female artist Paris Laná. “Worst Way” was added to Spotify’s Best of 2020: Fresh Finds: The Wave (R&B) editorial playlist and has racked up close to half a million streams alone. Singing, “I want you back in the single worst way,” both artist’s vocals merge together effortlessly, combining their silky voices. “Worst Way” absorbs many sonic layers, emitting trap-like R&B claps, hi-hat heavy beats and an underlining pulsing, deep bass. The soft popping of the synths add a dream-like atmosphere to the tune, shimmering with so much complexity in both the lyrics, production and structure.

Included in the deluxe album is the new single “Serious.” Featuring harp-esque flares, heavy R&B beats and harmonic vocals, the track blurs into an all encompassing sound. The tropical synths precipitate soft, juicy feelings while the hook is the definition of catchy. “Serious” narrates the depth of a connection, oozing with emotion and passion.

Listen to “Flashing Lights (Deluxe)” below and connect with TONYB. on his social media.

Connect with TONYB.: Twitter | Instagram

Interview: New Plague Radio Discuss Their Single/Video "Methamphetamine Dance"

“All three of us are really fond of brutal foreign horror films and 90’s cartoons, so a lot of the music was written with something like Baskin or Darkwing Duck playing in the background. ”

— New Plague Radio

What are some things/people/places that inspire the trio's creativity when working on new music? Is all of the music created by the trio produced in house?

All three of us are really fond of brutal foreign horror films and 90’s cartoons, so a lot of the music was written with something like Baskin or Darkwing Duck playing in the background.

Chief Redeye is a theme park fanatic, and his verses are typically written in line for the Matterhorn. Donovan is so obsessed with the Dark Souls video game franchise that he has worked references to them into almost all of our songs. He keeps saying he’ll stop and we do not believe him. We have a mastering engineer, but she’s the only other person who works with us. Everything else is just the three of us banging on the 18 or so instruments sitting around the house.

Congratulations on the completion and release of your debut EP "The Beeswax", which features "Methamphetamine Dance". Describe for us your creative process for the development of the song itself.

Chief Redeye brought a new verse to rehearsal about the adrenaline spike of a live performance and Donovan decided to try and re-interpret the cadence as a guitar riff. The rest of the song came together more or less by itself, with Donovan stitching the chorus out of an analogy he uses to talk about the feeling of existential panic.

As the director of the "Methamphetamine Dance" video, how did you come up with the treatment for the visual and do you look forward to directing more?

Redeye wrote a couple potential video ideas that were far too grotesque to actually film, but one of them featured a girl in a bathtub listening to us on the radio. Donovan, a frequent noise complaint recipient in his regular life, suggested we change it to a girl being rudely interrupted by her loud bandmate neighbors.

We had a blast filming it (didn’t sleep for 36 hours but still a blast) and are preparing to film a video for our second single, ‘Rock Like The Smiths’ here in the next week or so.

The "Beeswax" includes four songs; were there others that were recorded that you decided not to include on it? If so, why not?

There were a lot of songs that didn’t make the EP, most of which we will be releasing later this year. We felt those four songs did the best job of expressing what we like as a band. On top of that, when your last song is a near ten-minute rock opera about video game cannibals, it doesn’t leave a ton of extra space.

With the EP now released, what are some of New Plague Radio's goals musically for this year?

We just finished building a vocal booth in our living room (check it on Instagram @Newplagueradio I’m sorry we had to), so that should make recording smoother while the world is still on fire. We’re working on filming genre-bent rap covers of classic songs, so hopefully we’ll have that up on YouTube relatively soon.

We have a bunch more originals and videos on the way, of course. And Donovan has this crackpot scheme to build a screen printer and start sending people free band t-shirts, but we’ll believe it when we see it.

Stream and Share “The Beeswax” on Spotify

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